A Dictionary of the English Language: Containing the Whole Vocabulary of the First Edition in Two Volumes Quarto, the Entire Corrections and Improvements of the Second Edition in Two Volumes Royal Octavo, to which is Prefixed an Introductory Dissertation on the Origin, History, and Connexion, of the Languages of Western Asia and Europe, with an Explanation of the Principles on which Languages are Formed

This work represents the culmination of Noah Webster's lifelong ambition to standardize American English, first published in 1828. Motivated by a desire to differentiate the young nation's language from its British roots, Webster spent decades meticulously compiling thousands of definitions, many of which reflected unique American usage and spelling conventions. This specific edition, often found in a two-volume quarto or royal octavo format, served as a bridge between his original, highly ambitious 1828 masterpiece and the more accessible, refined versions that would eventually cement his name as the definitive authority on American lexicography.

Webster, a schoolmaster and political writer, designed the dictionary to be more than a mere reference; he viewed it as a tool for linguistic nationalism and intellectual independence. He integrated etymological research and simplified spellings—such as the removal of redundant letters in words like 'color' and 'music'—to make the language more logical. While the reception was initially met with some resistance from traditionalists who preferred the British models of Samuel Johnson, the work eventually became the bedrock of American education, celebrated for its rigor and its commitment to reflecting the evolving reality of English as spoken in the United States.